Acts 10:30, So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”
Cornelius was a good man. A devout man. The word devout describes someone who is: constant, dedicated, devoted, faithful, good, or loyal. Cornelius had deep religious feelings or commitment.
BUT HE WAS NOT SAVED.
As we read later in Acts 11:14, “who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” The Bible tells us, God heard Cornelius prayers! And God remembered his alms (Acts 10:31). What do we mean by -Alms? Donating your time, money, services, or resources to others.
What Cornelius needed, and you and I need (Romans 3:23) is someone to preach the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us! God sent an Angel to connect the Apostle Peter to minister to Cornelius and his entire household! Praise God, they all RECEIVED!
Like so many others, Cornelius was a religious man who was not born again! Even Cornelius believed in God because the Bible says he fasted and prayed faithfully. He did good things.
You may do good things! Never try to hurt anyone and keep to yourself. You may do charitable work. You may even pray for others.
You may say you believe in God!
But have you believed on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son? Have you surrendered your heart and life to Him?
Being religious comes in many different forms. Even wrapped up in being a church goer!
Jesus said to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin, John 3:7, “Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.” Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel, a religious man, doing good deeds but was not saved!
There is only one way to be saved from eternal judgment. Romans 10:13, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Many people say God would not send anyone to hell. But God is not sending anyone. You have your life to choose. After death, the judgment. God has demanded the debt of sin be paid. Jesus has paid that debt for everyone but not all receive. If you die, without accepting Jesus Christ, God’s only accepted payment, then that debt will fall back on you to pay. Since you can never pay it, if you could, you would have gone to the cross not God’s Son, therefore, God will judge you guilty. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Eternal separation from God.
Therefore, your deeds or good works are not enough to salvation. In fact, God says they are like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6).
Religion or being religious is man’s attempt (earning) to get to God. Christianity is God’s attempt (grace) to get to man! Ephesians 2:8,9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Most definitely, God just like with Cornelius and Nicodemus, knows your heart. When you are willing, nothing can stop you from being saved!
You must be born again!
Moses & Marguerite Wafula
www.wakeuptohope.blog/contact
Amen